Methods and application of bone densitometry in clinical diagnosis

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · CRC Crit. Rev. Clin. Lab. Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3109/10408368609110274· OSTI ID:6761205

Wahner, H W; Riggs, B L

With the awareness of osteoporosis as a major health problem for an aging population, there is great interest in early recognition and treatment of abnormal bone loss. Effective prevention of bone loss has to occur prior to the occurrence of irreparable damage. Standard radiographic procedures are not sensitive enough for the task. Therefore, a number of alternative procedures to estimate bone loss have been developed over the years, ranging from efforts to quantitate information obtained from radiographic images to sophisticated procedures such as neutron activation analysis or procedures based on the Compton scatter phenomenon. Only two procedures, photon absorptiometry and computed tomography (CT), have emerged as applicable for routine clinical use. In photon absorptiometry the entire bone mineral (cortical and trabecular bone) of a specific skeletal site is measured. CT allows measuring of bone mineral of trabecular or cortical bone alone. Normally, bone mass reaches a maximum in the third decade and then continuously declines. This age-related bone loss is greater in women in whom an accelerated rate of loss occurs at the menopause. When bone density reaches a critical fracture threshold, skeletal fractures occur (spine, hip, and distal long bones). The age at which this critical fracture threshold is reached depends on the maximal bone mass achieved in early adulthood and the rate of loss with increasing age. With the exception of NaF, present-day therapeutic efforts only retard or prevent bone loss but do not significantly add bone mineral to the skeleton. Recognition of high-risk groups and early treatment are therefore required. 79 references.

• Research Organization: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
• OSTI ID: 6761205
• Journal Information: CRC Crit. Rev. Clin. Lab. Sci.; (United States), Vol. 3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
OSTEOPOROSIS
DIAGNOSIS
SKELETON
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
AGE DEPENDENCE
AGED ADULTS
BONE FRACTURES
DENSITY
MINERALS
PHOTONS
BODY
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
INJURIES
MASSLESS PARTICLES
ORGANS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SKELETAL DISEASES
TOMOGRAPHY
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